JW JONES

Belmont Boulevard

Blind Pig Records

By Larry Schara

Entertaining is usually a word associated with a something live or visual. But this new release from Blind Pig Records, Belmont Boulevard, by Canadian blues guitarist JW Jones is just that. If you don’t find yourself dancing and singing along right from the start with the first track, “Love Times Ten,” then there is something wrong! This CD really cooks!

Hailing from Ottawa, Ontario, Jones has been an increasingly strong presence on the Canadian Blues scene. After a decade of accolades from numerous sources including Blues Revue Magazine and Guitar World Magazine -- and not to mention 12 nominations for the Maple Blues Award, Canada’s highest blues honor, plus seven previously released albums -- his latest release may just finally open him up to a much larger American and international audience. 

Charlie Musselwhite, a guest on an earlier album, had this to say about the band, “They play with taste and fire at the same time”. Jones & Co. seriously continue that trait with this release 

Like so many others before him, it was a performance by B.B. King that propelled Jones down the blues road. You can hear the influence of the King trio (B.B., Albert and Freddie), along with T-Bone Walker and Jimmie Vaughan, in this young Canadian’s playing. In fact, JW pays homage to the latter guitar great with his original tune “What Would Jimmie Do?”.

Recorded in Nashville and produced by Grammy-winning producer Tom Hambridge (Buddy Guy, James Cotton, Susan Tedeschi, George Thorogood), Belmont Boulevard is best described by JW’s own words. “This CD is all about getting out of my comfort zone musically and lyrically, working with a big producer and creating a high energy experience that matches our live show.” And that it does. The production and performance of this release is pure driven energy. Producer Hambridge co-wrote several tracks with Jones, as he often does so generously with his afore-mentioned clients.

Leaning more towards the rock ‘n’ roll side of blues, this CD may not be for the purist out there unless they are looking for a little excitement. Because after you’re done grooving to the opening track, “Love Times Ten” the CD keeps that energy up through Bobby Parker’s “Watch Your Step” and original tune “Blue Jean Jacket” before settling into something a little more laid back and traditional with “Coming After Me,” penned by Hambridge.

There are a couple of high points on this CD for Chicago blues fans. The first is Jones’ cover of Buddy Guy’s “What’s Inside of You.” Adding his own unique style and energy that is prevalent throughout this whole disc, Jones takes this song on to another level. The second is “Magic West Side Boogie,” a rousing instrumental obviously inspired by Magic Sam. Listening to the intensity of the performances, it becomes obvious why Jones’ guitar playing has been garnering such attention.

Kicking the energy up once again the CD closes out with “Never Worth It” and then onto the rather eclectic musical journey called “Cocaine Boy”.

This release is just fun and a real joy to listen to, definitely entertaining. If this CD is any indication of JW Jones’ live show, this reviewer will definitely be at his next Chicago appearance. And by the way, this is a great road trip CD! Crank it up!! 

Larry Schara is a 40+ year veteran of the music industry as a musician, engineer, producer with 9 Grammy nominated credits, a couple of gold records and a fond remembrance of working with Ray Charles, B.B. King and Chuck Berry among others.